H. Authority for Achievement of Revolution Objectives meets

Security situation in the country, reactions to the Caretaker Prime Minister's speech and the proposal of a referendum on the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) were the focal points of debates held on Wednesday, within the High Authority for the Achievement of  Revolution Objectives, Political Reform and Democratic Transition. Several participants warned against the sensitive situation the country is living through and the resurgence of retrograde forces who seek to block the democratic transition process and hamper the October 23 elections for narrow reasons and objectives. They called the various national players to close ranks against these counter-revolutionary forces and contribute to restore security and stability nationwide. The proposal of political parties and civil society components to organise a referendum next October 23, on the duration of NCA's mandate and its  exact mission were strongly criticised by a large number of participants. They denounce "the manoeuvres of some parties to restrict the Assembly's action and limit its mission before the elections." In another connection, the High Authority members warned against the dangers of a conflict between the military and security institutions. They asserted that "Tunisian and foreign sides are behind these ploys to prevent Tunisia from succeeding its democratic transition." They called political parties and the government to be vigilant, in order to protect the country from the risks of drifts and infringement of public and individual freedoms in the period preceding the elections. Other participants criticised the Caretaker Prime Minister's speech and "his threats to restrict the security officers' right for unions," calling Mr. Caid Essebsi to apologise to the security forces. Besides, the draft decree-law on the freedom of audiovisual communication and the creation of a High Authority of Audiovisual Communication (HAAC) was discussed in the presence of Independent National Authority for the Information and Communication Reform (INAICR) Chairman Kamel Laabidi. Two draft decree-laws on parties and associations will be adopted this week by the government and will be published next Tuesday, in the official journal.